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Sunday, March 09, 2014

Slow Sunday Stitching - Stencils & Frixion Pens

Have you ever used a quilting stencil before? I have very limited experience with them, but my Journey quilt really wanted a cabled border. I found the right sized 3" cable border stencil and then had to decide how to mark it. I remembered the information on Lori's blog and Lee's blog about the Frixion pens, and decided to try them out.The Frixion pen was easy to use, just like a regular pen, and the marks showed up well on the fabric. I drew some lines, and tried out the iron to see if the lines actually disappeared as they were supposed to... and they did!Completely gone! Reviewers say that the marks reappear if you put the quilt in the freezer or take it outside when it's really cold, but then you just have to reapply the heat to get the marks to go away again. I think I would be nervous to use this tool on a white quilt, but I was willing to try it on this busy print border.So I took the plunge and marked the whole border. I easily got the hang of adjusting the cable sections to make sure there were whole designs across all sides. I just had to lengthen two of the cables by about 1/2". And when I made a mistake, I just took the iron to it, and started over again. Loved it! Now which thread colour should I use to quilt the cable? I'm thinking pink or green?

What are you hand stitching today? Link up your hand stitching blog post below so we can celebrate your slow progress with you.

26 comments:

The ease of marking with a Frixion pen certainly appeals to me. I just wonder what long term effects that ink will have? Not that my quilts are heirloom or show quality, but I'd like to think that future generations would be able to use my quilts ... at least until they fall apart from use. ha!

I've used a cable stencil but I have to admit that I'm a little intimidated ... I'm not usually a pre-marker, and I have never figured out how make them turn the corners. Maybe I need to start with a simple cable and try on a quilt with a block at the corners?

I love the FRIXION pens. I know if you use them on a plainer dark fabric when you have ironed it you are sometimes left with a faded white line.Hopefully the quilting would disguise it.I have used a stencil and used white chalk then hated getting the chalk off.No stitching today only knitted a dishcloth

I worry about the chemicals left in your fabric using those pens. The marks will come back in cold temps so you know it doesn't wash out. I will stick to my mechanical pencils and white ceramic leads. I also use crayola washable markers when nothing else works. All of these wash out with no problem. As for stencils, I prefer making my own, as I can make them fit the quilt I am marking. I also invested in some great quilting design books for ideas.

I vote for the darker green or cranberry for your stitches so the cable border shows a bit.. it is busy fabric and needs a little attention to the cable detail... just my 2 cents... will be happy to see what you decide on... or the quilt decides! lol If you know what I mean :) Kathi

I think the pink or green thread would work out well. Just me but I have not used the pens, I don't want to use anything where the marks come back depending on if you bring the quilt into the cold - I prefer to know I can wash the marks out. Good luck with yours.

I've only used the chalk pencils to mark things. I'd vote for a darker color thread to show the cable - green would look nice I think. I've pulled out the Quilt Square Blocks for a hand quilting project this week. Don't know if I'll have a post - iphoto is not working on the mac since hubby updated the OS on Friday. Have a fun day slow stitching your cable.

A prolific quilter in my area had marked one of her quilts with the Frixion pen. She entered it in a show and the quilts were stored in a cool area. When ready for display, the marks had come back.Needless to say, she was devastated!

I would use the green or dark cranberry - all that work, a liter thread wouldn't show it. I don't like the idea of any pens, inks, dyes - they all will eventually break down fibers. I was taught with taylor tack chalk and soap sliver. I hope to get to prepping Hexies, but I really need to clean house.

So maybe no snow pictures for this quilt? :)I have used the Frixion pens and like them. I don't think you'll ever notice a marking in that busy border even if it does come back! I vote dark green thread.

Chemicals are not your friend. Whether it is in marking pens or that spray on glue stuff. I stay away from those things.My favorite marking tool especially for stencils is the pounce. Even for borders that you are hand quilting in a hoop, it stays. It will rub off a bit if the quilt is handled a lot but a faint enough line stays to be remarked.If the fabric is light enough I will use a fine mechanical pencil. I have a special quilt one. I think the pink thread would be great for the border quilting. Good luck. I will link up later today!!!

I really enjoy the Frixion pens and use them often! I have been using them to trace my Winter Wonderland on white snowflake fabric and they work marvelously. Actually they do best on white because sometimes they can leave a wax line on colors. I read somewhere that a steam blast will even eliminate the wax line, so there's no reason to fear these wonderful pens!!!! Happy stitching :*)

I've used lots of stencils over the years, and love them. I've used the frixon pens, as well, although not a lot. I'll be taking a picture of a quilt I just used them on later this week, outside, probably when it is still cold, so we'll find out then if the marks come back.

I made some tests with the FRIXION pen and will never use it again. Go look my post about it with not funny results. The marks reapear again and again:http://ivani-arteemcasa.blogspot.com.br/2014/02/testando-caneta-frixion.htmlHugs

I vote to use a thread that will show the cable, whatever that may need to be.I use stencils all the time to mark my quilting--I use chalk pens or the blue wash away markers. I also use the pounce sometimes but I think it is harder to iron away than the chalk pen.

I have not found the frixon pens here in the UK but used the berol paper mate washable pen to mark some quilting lines, it washed out easily and was happy with the result, okay when you plan to wash what you have made.